TOKYO, Aug. 10 (UPI) — A utility in southern Japan is to resume operations of a nuclear power plant, ending a two-year nationwide hiatus on nuclear operations.
Kyushu Electric’s decision to restart the No. 2 reactor at the Sendai plant in mid-October drew 100 protesters to the utility’s headquarters in Fukuoka on Monday, The Asahi Shimbun reported.
Tatsuya Yoshioka, the director of nonprofit Peace Boat said, “I cannot understand why operations are resuming.”
“Nuclear energy is an issue that extends beyond national borders.”
Activists from South Korea accompanied the Japanese protesters during the rally to oppose the reactivation of reactors that are located in an isolated area that leaves little room for a safe and speedy evacuation of residents.
A separate protest outside the plant included former Prime Minister Naoto Kan who was serving a term during the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011.
Kan told protesters Kyushu Electric will not take responsibility for evacuation in case of an emergency, and that under current laws, neither TEPCO nor Kyushu Electric have responsibility to ensure the safety of residents, The Japan Times reported.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has pushed for the restarting of the reactor in Satsumasendai, Kagoshima Prefecture. Supporters of resumed operations have included the prefectural governments and residents who may benefit from nuclear power-related subsidies on public works.
Tokyo has said the reactivation is needed because importing fossil fuels for thermal power plants is a major cost for the country.
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